NORFOLK, Va. — The LIU baseball team saved the best for last.

The Sharks erupted for 11 runs in the ninth inning to produce a 17-7 rubber-game win against host Norfolk State on Saturday.
 
The 11-run outburst was the largest in a frame by LIU in a Division I game since an 11-run sixth in a 16-3 win at Mount St. Mary's on April 30, 2010 — when current head coach Dan Pirillo was a graduate assistant with the team and only two seasons removed from playing.

Trailing 7-6 on Saturday, the Sharks proceeded to send 17 batters to the plate in the ninth.

JC Navarro and Connor Price had two plate appearances apiece in which they drove in runs during the final inning.

Price finished 4-for-6 with four RBIs. Navarro was 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Jake Mastillo also was 3-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs.

The 17 runs were the most by LIU in a game since a 26-6 victory against Fairleigh Dickinson on May 16, 2021.

Virginia native Shane Tucker earned the win with 2 1/3 scoreless relief innings.

Ty McInnes required only six pitches to navigate a perfect ninth.

The Sharks moved over .500 at 8-7 in NEC action.

LIU next faces Manhattan at Clover Stadium in Pomona on Wednesday at 3 p.m.